October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It’s a time to commemorate the lives of victims and to raise awareness about the issue.
The goal is to educate the public about the effects of domestic violence on families and to find ways to work together to promote safety and eliminate domestic violence in our communities.
The exact numbers aren’t clear, but between 3 and 4 million children in the United States are also at risk for being exposed to abuse of a parent or adult in their homes. A number of studies have shown that children in these situations are significantly more likely to suffer from direct abuse or neglect by their caregivers.
Many adults who live in an environment where domestic abuse occurs may think their children are unaware of the violence, but the fact is 80 to 90 percent of children who live in these homes are aware of the violence. Possibly more disturbing is the fact children can suffer just as much by witnessing the violence between adults in their families, even if they aren’t directly involved. This may include seeing the abuse occur, hearing it, or even by witnessing the aftermath of abuse and being aware of the tension and fear in the home.
How a child reacts or is effected will depend on a lot of different factors, including his or her age, personality, culture, gender, the severity and/or duration of the abuse.
A safe and secure home environment is one of the most important things we can provide for our children’s healthy development.
Witnessing violence between adults who children love and depend on can be very confusing for children and in many cases terrifying. While symptoms and effects vary, children who witness domestic violence may become anxious or depressed. Many experience difficulty sleeping or sleep disturbances, such as nightmares, flashbacks and bedwetting. Some children act out or display out-of-control behavior, while others become withdrawn. Physical symptoms, like stomach upsets and pain, headaches, fatigue and other illnesses are also common. In some cases, children who witness domestic violence are more likely to practice self-mutilation, such as cutting. They are also more likely to engage in high-risk play or activities and to experience eating disorders.
Socially, living in a violent home can be very isolating for children, who may not want to bring friends home or may feel like they have to cover up their home situation with friends or relatives. Kids who grow up in hostile, violent environments often have poor anger management and problem solving skills. Some kids will become extremely passive, while others may become extremely aggressive.
They may have a difficult time trusting other people, and they have a higher likelihood of becoming involved in unhealthy relationships as a perpetrator or victim themselves. Some of the effects of growing up in an environment with domestic violence can be long term. Not all children repeat the pattern when they grow up. Many are committed to not making the same mistakes they saw their parents make. However, our behavior as adults has a significant impact on our children. They learn much more from our example than they do from our words.
If children grow up in an environment where violence and intimidation are used as a means of control, they will often learn this is an appropriate way to manipulate another person. Boys, especially, who witness the abuse of their mothers by a father figure are more likely to repeat the violence in their teen and adult relationships. Kids may even lose respect for the abused parent and become abusive themselves.
If you know of children who are witnessing an abusive or violent
relationship in their home, it’s important to get help for the family. The best way to ensure the safety and well-being of the children may be to help ensure the safety of their abused parent.
The reporting point of contact for both domestic violence and child abuse is the military police station, especially if you fear there is an adult or child in immediate danger.
The installation victim advocate coordinator can also explain the resources and reporting options available to a victim. The victim advocate coordinator for Heidelberg is Tangela Calhoun, 0170-609-2862; for Mannheim is Corina Torres, 0151-562-86442; and for Kaiserslautern is Linda Gilbert, 0151 57605409.
The Air Force does not have a victim advocate, but if you fear an adult or child is in danger, contact the Air Force SWS/FAP at 479-2370 or 06371-46-2370.
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October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. It’s a time to commemorate the lives of victims and to raise awareness about the issue.
The goal is to educate the public about the effects of domestic violence on families and to find ways to work together to promote safety and eliminate domestic violence in our communities.
The exact numbers aren’t clear, but between 3 and 4 million children in the United States are also at risk for being exposed to abuse of a parent or adult in their homes. A number of studies have shown that children in these situations are significantly more likely to suffer from direct abuse or neglect by their caregivers.
Many adults who live in an environment where domestic abuse occurs may think their children are unaware of the violence, but the fact is 80 to 90 percent of children who live in these homes are aware of the violence. Possibly more disturbing is the fact children can suffer just as much by witnessing the violence between adults in their families, even if they aren’t directly involved. This may include seeing the abuse occur, hearing it, or even by witnessing the aftermath of abuse and being aware of the tension and fear in the home.
How a child reacts or is effected will depend on a lot of different factors, including his or her age, personality, culture, gender, the severity and/or duration of the abuse.
A safe and secure home environment is one of the most important things we can provide for our children’s healthy development.
Witnessing violence between adults who children love and depend on can be very confusing for children and in many cases terrifying. While symptoms and effects vary, children who witness domestic violence may become anxious or depressed. Many experience difficulty sleeping or sleep disturbances, such as nightmares, flashbacks and bedwetting. Some children act out or display out-of-control behavior, while others become withdrawn. Physical symptoms, like stomach upsets and pain, headaches, fatigue and other illnesses are also common. In some cases, children who witness domestic violence are more likely to practice self-mutilation, such as cutting. They are also more likely to engage in high-risk play or activities and to experience eating disorders.
Socially, living in a violent home can be very isolating for children, who may not want to bring friends home or may feel like they have to cover up their home situation with friends or relatives. Kids who grow up in hostile, violent environments often have poor anger management and problem solving skills. Some kids will become extremely passive, while others may become extremely aggressive.
They may have a difficult time trusting other people, and they have a higher likelihood of becoming involved in unhealthy relationships as a perpetrator or victim themselves. Some of the effects of growing up in an environment with domestic violence can be long term. Not all children repeat the pattern when they grow up. Many are committed to not making the same mistakes they saw their parents make. However, our behavior as adults has a significant impact on our children. They learn much more from our example than they do from our words.
If children grow up in an environment where violence and intimidation are used as a means of control, they will often learn this is an appropriate way to manipulate another person. Boys, especially, who witness the abuse of their mothers by a father figure are more likely to repeat the violence in their teen and adult relationships. Kids may even lose respect for the abused parent and become abusive themselves.
If you know of children who are witnessing an abusive or violent
relationship in their home, it’s important to get help for the family. The best way to ensure the safety and well-being of the children may be to help ensure the safety of their abused parent.
The reporting point of contact for both domestic violence and child abuse is the military police station, especially if you fear there is an adult or child in immediate danger.
The installation victim advocate coordinator can also explain the resources and reporting options available to a victim. The victim advocate coordinator for Heidelberg is Tangela Calhoun, 0170-609-2862; for Mannheim is Corina Torres, 0151-562-86442; and for Kaiserslautern is Linda Gilbert, 0151 57605409.
The Air Force does not have a victim advocate, but if you fear an adult or child is in danger, contact the Air Force SWS/FAP at 479-2370 or 06371-46-2370.